clouds

A metaphor for the dense, chaotic mass of insane thoughts, largely unconscious, which block our awareness from the light of our true nature, yet which have no real substance. These are often spoken of as "dark clouds" or "the clouds of guilt," for they are made of guilt. Also refers to the objects and events of this world, which are literally nothing more than this same mass of thoughts in our minds. See T-18.IX.6-8, W-pI.41.5, W-pI.69.4-8.